Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Light finds the cracks...


Spring has finally begun around camp yet the ice fishermen haven't gotten the memo. I love to watch the men out there EVERY day trudging out across the snow and ice to fish from sun up to sun down. They get their tip ups set up and then gather together to schmooze. (I am sure some alcohol is involved as well.) I can here their laughter and faint stories from camp - way across the lake. I can also hear their crude humor and town gossip - ugh! I think these guys stay out until one drops through the ice or their patience finally runs out. If one thing each year is for certain, it is that they will return next November.

I was reading in Numbers (an underrated book!), about another gathering. It seems that out in the wilderness the Israelites were getting antsy. They were sick of the desert and wanted to take their frustration out on their leader, Moses. Aaron and Miriam gathered together to talk about Moses. They began to talk against Moses (identified by God as the most humble man in the world), they felt that God was going to speak through them now and not just Moses. They seemed to blame him for their desert situation, a situation of God's making. Amazingly God stepped in right away - he called the three of them (Moses, Aaron and Miriam) into the tent of meeting for a face to face. Imagine, getting called into the office to get chewed out from God. And Chew God did, the bible says that His anger burned against the two malcontents. And Moses - he simply pleads with God to be lenient on them. Tough times really brings out the worst in many people - especially when they can gather together and talk an issue or situation into a crisis.

These are some tough times in the United States for many people. Listen to the radio or watch the TV news and you here the gossip. So called leaders or experts talking against everything and everybody, blaming others for situations we all created. In times like this we need someone like Moses, someone who speaks for God to set peoples minds at ease, to remind us that God is still in control.

Well, since we as Christians house the Spirit of God in our temples (bodies), WE need to step up and be that voice of God. We need to stop the "talking against" and start talking for the Lord. "The JOY of the Lord is our strength" Let's focus this week on being light and joy in the world. Panic does not look good on a Christian who has the assurance of eternal life! In your gatherings be aware of the fact that we need to shine light on the world around us. Our investment is in the eternal kingdom and the interest is compounding. Be aware of your talk as you interact with the non-Christian world - maybe the stark contrast of your disposition will spark some interest. What makes that person tick? Hope, joy, and peace look awfully appealing to a panicked world. See the opening - light loves to enter those cracks in lives! Be the voice of God to your world - and a smiling face.

(Loving your feedback)
Portage Dave

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